FR Tower fire: Helicopters used to rescue trapped people

Helicopters are being used to airlift the people trapped on the rooftop of the FR Tower in Banani, Dhaka. 

Fire fighters have entered the building to rescue people trapped inside as well. The rescue operation began around 3pm on Thursday. 

Most of the people rescued have been severely affected by the smoke, and have been sent to hospitals around Dhaka for treatment. 

Anxious family members of the people who are in the building have gathered around the building, where the blaze is still raging on some of the floors.  

Helicopters are being used to rescue people who were stuck at the fire at FR Tower of Banani in Dhaka on Thursday, March 28, 2019 | Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka Tribune

Farida Yasmin, who is looking for her son, said: “My son Fahad Ibne Kabir works in this building. When he last called me, he said he was getting suffocated by the smoke. I have not spoken to him since.” 

People can be seen on the 10th floor, desperately trying to get the fire fighters’ attention to be rescued.

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The rescue work is getting hindered by the heavy smoke billowing out of the building, said Mostafiz, one of the fire fighters on the ground. 

“Because of the heavy smoke, it is very difficult for us to reach the people trapped inside with out crane ladders. We are currently working with four crane ladders. There are still people inside who are waving to get our attention.”

A total of five deaths have been confirmed in the deadly fire that broke out at the FR Tower around 12:52pm on Thursday. 

As of 4:45pm, fire fighters have been able to go up to the sixth floor to douse the fire and evacuate people trapped inside.

A fire service official, on condition of anonymity, said around 35 people have been rescued from the building till the filing of this report.

"We have 21 units of the Dhaka Fire Service and Civil Defence working to douse the fire," Fire Service Central Control Room Duty officer Rasel told the Dhaka Tribune. 

Members of the armed forces are also on the ground working with the fire fighters.